This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
No matter how wonderful the child care experience we arrange for our kiddos, sometimes separating from mom or dad is a dreaded moment. Keeping in mind that child care providers are our partners in this parenting journey — remember, they’ve experienced way more child development scenarios than any of our individual households have — they are the best resource for helping you work through a phase in which drop-off is a true struggle.
In partnership with Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool, whose teachers and directors offer a wealth of knowledge, techniques, and ideas about supporting kids in tough transitions and encouraging cooperation and independence, we are sharing our top four strategies for smooth drop-offs.
Get excited about the day. Before leaving the house, start building excitement about what’s in store at daycare. “I can’t wait to see what puzzles are on the table in the big room!” or “Simone will be happy to see you today. Do you think she’ll be jumping up and down?” Incorporate the care providers into the narrative. They are part of your kid’s team! “When we see Donna, let’s make sure to tell her about the dog we saw this morning. She’ll like to hear about it.”
Let your child lead the way in. It’s so tempting to carry our children from the car in the door — it’s faster! – but it creates a physical dependency that we have to untangle when we arrive. If a child can walk, let him walk in the door on his own two feet. Reinforcing his independence by saying “Show me where to go,” supports the idea that he is ready to navigate this space and conveys your trust.
Keep goodbyes brief. We had a ritual of a “Hug-and-a-kiss-and-a-push,” in which our toddlers gave us a little push out the door. Flipping the script so that they are encouraging us to leave makes it fun, and more importantly, empowers them. Plus, the consistent procedure lets them know what to expect every day.
Budget enough time for dawdling. Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool has a blog post about drop-off that suggests not being in a rush. We agree that shooting for early arrival allows a slow-moving child to avoid the pressure of being hurried. The extra time allows parents to greet teachers and connect with other parents. We’re aiming for positive energy here, not panic!
Finally, remember that when a child is screaming or crying at the gate, be kind, but firm, and walk away confidently. A child will usually recover pretty well once you’re on your way.
Browse more tips and parenting resources on the Bright Horizons website, from curriculum to advice on choosing a child care solution.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. And a little bit Heather’s.
Our daycare had a great trick with the toddlers–it was their job to close the classroom door as the parent was leaving. They loved doing it, and it was helpful for them to have something to do instead of just standing and watching as the parent walked away.
Great tip!
I definitely agree to build in time at drop off but we aim for the brief goodbyes every single time. I don’t always get my way with my two year old but he’s been pretty good at shutting the door on me and blowing kisses as I walk away!
I’ve found that an easy drop off is super easy when the childcare provider is great at redirecting the child’s attention to something fun. I’ve been to a few where they just stand there waiting for the child to stop crying and I’m like, “dude, come on. teamwork.”
My brother has been trying to figure out if he wants to put his kids in a daycare. He has been looking for a while and needs help with things like the first time he drops off his children. I will be sure to tell him to keep the goodbyes short so that he is not coddling the kids.
I think that building excitement about the day at daycare would be a great way to get your kid excited to go. I’m going to have to try this out with my five-year-old this week. He can sometimes get whiny when I leave him at daycare. This should help smooth over any future situations like that.
I have to take my kids to daycare, and I really want them to have a fun time and not cry when I go. Thank you for all the tips for having a tear-free drop-off. I really like your tip about building excitement about what is in store at daycare before we leave. I think that would be a great idea!
I have to go back to work, but I need a place for my girls to stay during the day. I liked what you said about getting them excited to go. I know that it can be really easy to fall into the habit of not really caring, especially for my girls, but I think that this might really help them feel more comfortable going.